Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Peter Barmack, Carole Beswick, Ann Bryan, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Louis Goodwin, Matthew Isaac, Jay Jimenez, Pam Langford, Bill Lemann, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, John Prentice, Jan Remm, Paul Shimoff, Steve von Rajcs, Phil Waller, Hassan Webb and Ray Wolfe.
Guests: Nick Calero, Vicky Osterman and Todd Warden
Announcements: 1) Last week SANBAG held a final vote in support of Express Lanes. Appreciation was expressed to those that attended and spoke. 2) Members of a Visioning Committee will meet on Thursday with the Brookings Inst. 3) Inland Action has been asked to co-sponsor a holiday reception that will honor the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The event will be held at The Atrium in Riverside on Wednesday, December 10, 2015. Sponsorship is $250.00.
M/S/P: Inland Action will co-sponsor the 2015 Holiday Reception honoring the CTC.
M/S/P: Minutes from November 3, 2015.
Sue McKee introduced Senator Mike Morrell.
Senator Morrell represents the 23rd District in the state Senate, which includes portions of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. The district covers 1 million people in a 1,800 sq. mile area.
Prior to his public service, Mike Morrell was a successful businessman predominantly in the real estate business for 25 years.
He stated that his view of government is simple. Government exists to serve the public, not to be served by the public. The Senator is committed to restoring fiscal responsibility and common sense approaches to government.
Activities He has coordinated to have Veterans speak to high school students about their experiences, instilling patriotism in the younger generations.
The Senator is continuing the Women of Distinction award created by Senator Emmerson. The Women of Distinction Award celebrates the lives of deserving Inland Empire women, their personal and professional accomplishments and their selfless service to our community.
He created the ARK of Safety Forum for increased local emergency preparedness. To ensure that churches are prepared for a disaster in which government agencies are unable to respond for 72 hours. The forum attracts over 200 representatives from local houses of worship that get information from experts speakers such as Riverside County Office of Emergency Services, San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services and So Cal VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).
Senator Morrell has a strong and successful intern program. Interns get a better understanding of the constitution, in addition to working with professional staff on a variety of projects. Employment opportunities in government are strong after their internship and now private business is expressing an interest in these individuals.
The Senator made brief statements regarding water, Prop 13, sanctuary cities, and transportation funding.
Legislation SCA 3 Legislation Transparency Would require legislation to be in print and posted online for 72 hours before any Senate or Assembly votes are taken on it. This bill is intended to produce more transparency in the budget process by not allowing last minute additions to be made without the public’s scrutiny.
SB 198-Fire Tax Appeal Would repeal the fire prevention fee assessed on property owners living in State Responsibility Areas. The fire prevention fee was enacted in 2011 by the Governor and legislative Democrats who claimed that the state needed additional money for fire prevention in State Responsibility Areas. It was approved by only a majority vote, despite the fact that voter-approved taxpayer protections require a two-thirds vote for a tax. The fee is unfair and likely an illegal tax.
SB 418-CSU Readmission Rights for Active Duty Students Would extend readmission rights for active duty military students from two to five years in the California State University System. Readmission guarantees a student can continue at the institution where he or she has already been studying after an approved absence.
SB 2- Property taxation: exemptions: veterans’ organizations. Protecting property tax exemptions for non-profit Veterans Halls to keep them financially stable.
The Senator stated there are 150,000 bills submitted most of which he believes are increasing government regulations. Government power should be limited and we should increase use of local control which is both more efficient and effective.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 a.m.